The hidden energy of light

Earlier this week, like many others, I found myself navigating London during the tube strike. The given cause for action? Driver fatigue, linked to challenging roster patterns.

I can’t speak to the details of that case, but it made me reflect on fatigue itself. We use the word often — but true fatigue is far more debilitating and energy-sapping than just “being tired.”

Its causes are many: illness, nutrient deficiencies, stress, poor sleep routines. But what caught my attention during that journey was the role of melatonin.
Known as the “sleep hormone,” melatonin is also a powerful agent in mental and physical wellbeing. It’s produced in the brain, but its deeper reserves are built at a cellular level — driven by light exposure.

·      Sunlight (especially near-infrared) fuels it.
·      Darkness sustains it.
·      Blue light from screens and LEDs suppresses it.

Which means: our modern indoor lives are often working against our natural energy systems.

There’s a simple human solution: reconnect with natural light: sunlight, candles, fires, even old-style incandescent bulbs are all great sources of infrared light.

So next time fatigue lingers, maybe the answer isn’t just “more rest.” Try gathering with loved ones around a campfire. You’ll not only enjoy the warmth of connection — you’ll also be replenishing your body’s melatonin and its remarkable, health-lifting effects.

If you're interested in exploring this more, come along to our webinar on 24th September: https://lnkd.in/e_iPxcCB